So much to see at Bletchley Park

Wartime living room and kitchen with mannequin wearing Girl Guide uniform in Bletchley Park Museum. Photograph by Rachael Marshall.

When I get chatting about Bletchley Park with people that haven't visited yet they often don't know that it's open to the public, and has been for some years. All sorts of fascinating collections are there, including World War Two era rooms like the one above, Jack and Rita Darrah's amazing Churchill Collection, the Post Office, which issues first day and commemorative covers, the Museum of Cinema Technology and of course the recently opened Turing Exhibition. 

The full list of attractions at Bletchley Park is here. Which is your favourite?

Most of my time is spent in the non-public buildings but next time I'll be going to see the Turing Exhibition. The Life and Works of Alan Turing is on the shortlist for the Art Fund Prize 2012 and needs your vote!

Caroline at work in Block D

Caroline listening to Block D. Photograph by Rachael Marshall. 

A rather vocal pigeon was skittering along some trunking near the ceiling, its calls echoing around the room and occasionally being answered by another bird. 

Tuesday at Bletchley Park was blessed with bright sunshine and lots of visitors. Have you visited yet? Did you know that the Alan Turing exhibition is on the shortlist for an Art Fund Award? Cast your vote and see the other nominations here: Art Fund Prize.

In the northern end of Block C

Maya and Luke in Block C

Working in the buildings is tough at this time of year because of the cold and damp. This photograph of Maya and Luke was taken at the northern end of Block C, where the only light is from the roof and occasional chinks in the timber hoardings on the windows. 

Our visit was brief - we spent just a couple of hours in Block C and then had some meetings about the show. The gallery is just over the road from the John Lewis end of the (recently Grade II listed) Milton Keynes Shopping Centre. An enormous pancake in the cafe was such a treat after spending the morning in conditions like the photograph above. 

For once I was glad to get togged up in an overall because bending down to pick up a coffee before starting work my jeans ripped in a place that you really don't want holes! Luckily I was wearing thermals underneath. Photographing Bletchley Park is not a glamorous occupation.

You might have noticed that I'm only posting one photograph with each blog post now. This is because I'm saving them for the show of course and I hope you can come to experience the sights, sounds and textures of the unused buildings before they're refurbished. 

This week I've updated my biography for the exhibition, which you can find under About, and we've added a Facebook page about the Station X project too. Thank you to everyone who's given it a like so far.